The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #52178

Judy Smetzer, BSN, Institute for Safe Medication Practices, 1800 Byberry Road, Suite 810, Huntingdon Valley, PA 19006, 215/947-7797, jsmetzer@ismp.org

Health care is a highly complex, error prone industry. A busy emergency department, surgical suite, or a critical care unit exemplifies an unprecedented level of specialization, intricate processes, and nonstop interdisciplinary activity where the slightest mistake could be catastrophic. Yet, there are other highly complex and error prone industries, such as nuclear power, airline, and the chemical industries, that have a much better safety record than health care. These industries have achieved laudable and sustained safety records despite significant odds. The primary differences between these more reliable industries and health care are rooted deeply in its culture. As healthcare continues down the path toward improved patient safety, we need to explore these cultural differences and learn about new models of leadership, shared accountability, change, teamwork, and safety measurement. The presentation answers the question: How does the culture in complex industries with laudable safety records differ from the culture in health care today?

Learning Objectives:

• Identify how the culture of health care affects safety
• Describe how error prone industries achieve sustained safety records

Keywords: Quality of Care,

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.